Abdominal support



Feb. 2l, 1950 H. MORRISON ABDOMINAL SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept.4, 1947 INVENTOR Feb. 21, 1950 H. MQRRlsoN 2,498,290

ABDOMINAL SUPPORT Filed Sept. 4,'1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OOOOOO INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ABDOMINAL SUPPORTHarry Morrison, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application September 4, 1947, Serial No. 772,110

This invention pertains generally to abdominal supports and moreparticularly to those which simultaneously serve for suspending an outergarment and retain an inner one.

My previous invention, patented October 9, 1945, Patent No. 2,386,708,discloses such support. The present invention constitutes a furtherimprovement in abdominal supports inasmuch as it obviates thedisadvantages heretofore inherent to devices of this kind, namely thedifficulty of their cleaning, laundering, application and upkeep.

Hence one object of the present invention is to provide an abdominalsupport, outer garment suspender, and inner garment retainer, thedirectionally rigid attachment means of which are held in pockets on thebelt portion of the support, and are easily insertable into, andremovable from, the pockets Without any sewing, buttoning, or otheroperation whatsoever.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed, in which the connecting means between the outer garment andbelt portion comprise hooks having an elongated leg portion that isslidingly held in pockets of the belt.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an abdominal supportin which the connecting means between the outer garment and belt portioncomprise hooks having an S-shaped portion continued by an elongated legportion extending lsubstantially through the Whole width of the belt.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an abdominal supportin which the connecting means between the outer garment and belt portioncomprise hooks which are substantially rigid in their longitudinaldirection and resilient in a direction vertical thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide a belt of the typedescribed in which a ilexible strip adapted to be attached to the outergarment is provided with a plurality of latches suitable to engage hooksheld in pockets of the belt, transferring thus the Weight of the outergarment upon the hooks and the belt.

A further object of the invention is to provide an abdominal supportthat has a plurality of inserted hooks which substantially extendthrough the whole width of the belt and are rigid in the direction ofthe belt Width and resilient in a direction vertical thereto.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an abdominal supportin which attachment means are heldin longitudinal `pockets extend- 8Claims. (Cl. 2-312) 2 ing in the direction of the Width of the belt andopen at one end and closed at the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide an abdominal support ofthe character described which is simple in its structural combination,convenient to wear, `can be readily applied, easily taken apart,laundered and is inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of these and such other objects as may hereafterappear the invention consists of the novel construction, combination andarrangement of the structure hereinafter described and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings showing the embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate same partsthroughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of the lleXible stripadapted to be fastened to the inside of the outer garment and carrying aplurality of latches.

Figure 2 is a fragmental side elevational View to a larger scale of thestrip, illustrated in Figure 1, showing one latch and its fastening,viewed from the side toward the wearer.

Figure 3 is the same fragmental view as shown in Figure 2 but viewedfrom the opposite lside.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View on line 4 4 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional View on line 5--5 in Figure 1. v

Figure 6 is a side elevational View of the belt portion of the inventionshowing live supporting hooks inserted into the ive pockets as viewedfrom outside of the wearer.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a hook to a somewhat enlargedscale.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the hook shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view to a larger scale taken at any of thelines 9 9 in Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a perspective vieW of a second preferred embodiment of myinvention in which the hooks are formed of one piece of suitably bentresilient round wire. l

Figure 11 is a perspective View of the third preferred embodiment inwhich the supporting hooks are formed from one piece of suitably bent atresilient strip. v

Referring closer to the numerals of reference in Figures l to 9-ofthedrawings, I2 represents the outer garment of the wearer such as a pairof pants of men or women, or a skirt, etc., of a woman, to which atsuitable locations around the waist region the flexible strip I3 isfastened by sewed seams I4 or by other suitable attachments means, suchas buttons, etc. (not shown).

A plurality of suitably spaced latches I5 are fastened by suitable meanssuch as webs I6, 5 shown fastened to strip I3 by seams I7. Latches I5have holes I8 provided for threading through them webs I6, the ends ofeach of which are then brought together and sewed to strip I3 by seamsI'I as previouslymentioned aboveoandwlearlymo illustrateddn-Fi'gure 4.1

As best shown in Figure 4 latches I5 have a central iiat portion I9 andtwo iiat side portionss 20 which are parallel and the latter bearingJthe... holes I8, through which web I6 is threaded.V 1.-,

Strip I3 has for each latch two suitably-spacedb'. cuts 2| through whichlatches ...I5 are .inserted` so that flat side portions 2Darebetweenstrp' I3"` and the outer garment I2 while flat Sider-por:1tions I9 are inside towardzthe wearer.

`-As seen also in,.Figure.4,.gapscZLare formed... by at portionsI91oLlatchI5 and strip, I3"wh`ichl.. gaps serve. for .receiving thesupporting hooks heldin the .belt' lportionas hereinafter described...

As .showninligure 6 thebelt portion of the 5 support consists of-arelativelywide belt 23 Tmade of 'strongfabric .which'may or maynotbeelastic...r This 'beltV which is to be'attach'ed aro-undlthe waist ofthe wearer is .provided with' known fastening..means, such as buckles24,.at 'one-end.. o portionand straps "25,..with" suitable holes,..atthe other.

`Belt A23`isI provided "withpock'etslwhich are formed .by attachingtripsof "fabric .21 to the...

ing across the width. of .belt `23 andare open at the 'top'iand closed'by seams 28on the sidesand at the bottom. Suit/ably spaced pockets ..26lare shown but it will be understood that any suitable` number ofVth'emniay. be employed. The number ofthe pockets r26 fand their..location;-,.V correspond "to those 'of latches I5,",fa`stened LtostripI3.

VHooks 29 'are slidingly' .accommodated in .pocket 26.' Hooks V29 haveans-shaped.top. portionl.30 45 to whicha U-shaped 'resilient wire leg.portion- 3| is attached, Lg portion .3I' 'andhook portion 3U are bothsubstantially `rigid in. longitudinal direction .but are .resilient in adirection normal thereto andthe width of `the leg portion.3I..is suchthatV it slidingly lits into pockets 26 Ain which they are inserted'deepenough so that the inner side o-f hook portion 30 engage. .the topportion of Vbelt 23.

Thilat portions. I9.Jof""latches Viiicooperate with" hooks 29 as hook".portions '.30 'are inserted into gaps 22. Hooks 29.1may11be '-madeofmetal, plastic, shbone; or "other resilient materials."V

As best .shown .in Figure' 9 'inthe` abdominal support,"'when"worn',leg3f of lhook 29 isi inserted. in k pocket 26 so that hook portion 30slides into gap-*22 'of' latch "I 5 andat'thersame ltime 'engages thetop'portion ofbe1t"23 so that outergarment I2V isl c held' by "strip I3,".th`e` 'attached 1latches I 5 lifted .by hook portion';30 "ofhook'29fthe leg portion`r 3| lvof 'which is securely'held by"pocket"26of belt portionA 23. The underrgarm'ents'suchv as shirt'iorblouse 32'and underwear or 'lingerie' v33 are'held 'securely 'to 'the'body '34'by"b'elt 23.v

The voperatioirof therst `embodiment of-A my device is as follows:

Strip'IS withflatches I5--is -fastenedby"seams oiwbutt'ons,` etc.; tothe innerfside ofthe fouterv garment 'Y'to 'be worn." Thenv belt^23,with`v hooks' `v wearer around the waist region and nally the latches I5are slipped into hook portions 30.

The second embodiment of my invention is the same as the rst except thateach hook, as shown in Figure l0, is made integral from one piece ofresilient round spring material.

The third embodiment is the same as the second one except that the hooksare made of flat strip material, as shown in Figure 11.

Theloperaitionmf* the second andtllird embodiments-areetltepsame ascthatfoil the rstsf hence it needs not to be repeated.

.Having fully disclosed my invention and descnibedand illustrated threepreferred embodiments -tliere'of it will be understood that variouschangeswandf;modications may be made therein by those versed in the artwithout departing from the rspiritandsc'opeof'my invention, hence I donot-intend to be limited by these exemplary embodiments but what I claimas new and wish to secure byLetters Patent isz..`

1.3A` garment .suspending .belt..and. abdominal. i

support comprising a .belt .adapted .tocover:- the:Y

bodyareas to be supported,adjustablaiastening.. means enr said belt fortighteningsaid belt. around the .body..of the .wear-er, pockets.suitably spacedi around .`said.belt',`. vh'oolalmeans. :havingaresilient legportion. thereon. adaptedftobe .removablylfina serted intosaid pockets', said hoolcmeansprpjectY .ing outwardly from the `belt''awayfrbm the body..

of thewearer. a iie'xib'le' strip.attachedetoagare ment to be suspended,latchn means on said strip,.-

v able fastening means on saidI beltforcti'g'hteningi.

said .belt around the body ,offtheiwearen aiplura'lity ot spaced." apartpockets along..- sa-id lbelt .Y extending transversely. of the length ofsaid .blt,'.

hook: means'havirig .a resilient legporti'on .re movably inserted insaid pockets', said hook lmeans prcjectin'goutwardly"from the belt'awayfrom.. the body of the wearer, a .flexible strip2 attached to`a"ga'rirlentto' be suspended,`,a plurality of` latchesfspaced'aparton'. said striplfatpositions corresponding 'tothe .position 'of thepockets on f the belt', sai'd.latch` means .adaptedwto engage 3." Agarmentsuspending. belt'. 'and abdominal supp0rt"comprising a'. exiblebelt adapted to.. coverthe .bodyareasto be supportemadjustamefastenin'gmeans 'on said .belt 'for tighteningsaid belt around`the bdyofAthe wearer, a plurality;

Aoi spaced apart pockets'along said belt extending transversely ofl thelengt'h oi?J said" belt," said pockets "being vopen alo'ngthesideadjacent. the f top'of'said belt; hook"'means.'having a resilient'legiportionv insertedremovablyin said pockets,l 05. ,said hook means"projecting outwardly from. the

belt away from the 'bodyi of the iwe'arer; 'a xible strip attached `toa' garment .to Lbe suspended," a plurality" oi` latches "spacedapa'rt"on' said strip at `positions'I corresponding' to the positions "of l.the lpockets; onthe belt, 'saidlatch'means `adapted 'l vto"engage"^removably the hook' meansin'ithe.; pockets or said beltwhereby 'said :outer garment:

is suspended.

4;. .A garment suspen'dihg'belt "andabdominaL Zafinserted initsypockets' f 26,"istightened 'on'the 75 D.Support `lvcomprisinga':belt"'adapted"*t 'Jcover 'the body areas to be supported, adjustablefastening means on said belt for tightening said belt around the body ofthe wearer, pockets spaced apart around said belt, hook means removablyinserted in said pockets, said hook means including a resilient legportion removably inserted in said pockets and an S-shaped hook portion,one arm of which is fastened to the resilient leg portion and the otherarm of which forms an upwardly opened engaging portion, a flexible stripattached to a garment to be suspended, latch means spaced apart on saidstrip at points corresponding to the pockets on the belt, said latchmeans adapted to pass over the upwardly opened engaging portion of thehook means in the pockets of said belt whereby said outer garment issuspended.

5. A garment suspending belt and abdominal support comprising a beltadapted to cover the body areas to be supported, adjustable fasteningmeans on said belt for tightening said belt around the body of thewearer, pockets spaced apart around said belt, hook means removablyinserted in said pockets, said hook means including a U-shaped resilientleg portion of material of substantially circular cross sectionremovably inserted in said pockets, the ends of the legs of saidU-shaped leg portion being fastened to one arm. of an S-shaped hookportion of fiat strip material, said hook portion having its other armturned upwardly forming an up- Wardly opened engaging portion, aflexible strip attached to a garment to be suspended, latch means spacedapart on said strip at points corresponding to the pockets on the belt,said latch means adapted to pass over the upwardly opened engagingportion of the hook means in the pockets of said belt whereby said outergarment is suspended.

6. A garment suspending belt and abdominal support comprising a beltadapted to cover the body areas to be supported, adjustable fasteningmeans on said belt for tightening said belt around the body of thewearer, pockets spaced apart around said belt, hook means removablyinserted in said pockets, said hook means including a U-shaped resilientleg portion, the ends of the legs of said U-shaped portion being bent toform S-shaped hook portions, said hook portions projecting outwardlyfrom the belt away from the body of the wearer to form upwardly openedengaging portions, a flexible strip attached t0 a garment to besuspended, latch means spaced apart on said strip at pointscorresponding to the pockets on the belt, said Ilatch means adapted topass over the upwardly opened engaging portions of the hook means in thepockets of said belt whereby said outer garment is suspended.

7. A garment suspending belt and abdominal support according to claim 6in which the latch means includes generally U-shaped members the ends ofwhose legs are bent outwardly in a plane parallel to the bottom of theU, each of said outwardly bent portions having a hole therein, andfastening means passing through said hole for fastening the leg to theflexible strip.

8. A garment suspending belt and abdominal support according to claim 6in which the latch means includes generally U-shaped members the ends ofwhose legs are bent outwardly in a plane parallel to the bottom of theU, each of said outwardly bent portions having a hole therein, and a webstrap passing through said hole, the ends of said strap being sewn tothe flexible strip.

HARRY MORRISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,502,414 Washuk July 22, 19241,566,206 Greene Dec. 15, 1925 1,753,739 Burns Apr. 8, 1930 2,237,022Andrews Apr. 1, 1941 2,386,708 Morrison Oct. 9, 1945

